Material supply for a tablet pressing machine, a tablet pressing machine and a cleaning method for a tablet pressing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a material supply for a tablet pressing machine with a rotor, which comprises a matrix disc. The matrix disc includes a plurality of arranged matrices. The material supply is provided to supply material which is to be tabletted to the matrices formed in the matrix disc. A further subject of the invention is a tablet pressing machine which comprises a material supply according to the invention, and also a method for cleaning such a tablet pressing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationPCT/EP2009/054871, filed on Apr. 23, 2009 and claims priority to GermanPatent Application 10 2008 001 350.1, filed Apr. 23, 2008 and GermanPatent Application 10 2008 028 042.9, filed on Jun. 12, 2008. The entiredisclosure of all three of these applications is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tablet pressing machine. Inparticular, the invention relates to a tablet pressing machine in whichthe matrix disc of the rotor is arranged in a closed housing, in whichin addition a spraying device is arranged, by which for cleaningpurposes a cleaning fluid, such as water for example, can be sprayedinside the closed housing for cleaning purposes. The invention furtherrelates to a material supply for a tablet pressing machine, which isprovided to supply material which is to be tabletted to matrices formedin a matrix disc of a tablet pressing machine. Finally, the presentinvention relates to a method for cleaning a closed housing of a tabletpressing machine, in which the matrix disc of the tablet pressingmachine is arranged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tablet pressing machines are known in various numbers from the priorart. Basically, generic tablet pressing machines have a rotor unit whichis practically always carried by a driven spindle and which, togetherwith the spindle, rotates about a vertically aligned rotation axis D. Inaddition, such a rotor unit comprises a matrix disc in which a pluralityof matrices or matrix mountings are formed. The matrix mountings areprovided to hold separately constructed matrices in them. Above andbelow the matrix disc, generally upper and lower die mountings arearranged, in which a plurality of upper and lower dies are arrangedwhich are discplaceable in the direction of the rotation axis D andengage by their ends into the matrices of the matrix disc. The upper andlower dies are actuated on a rotation of the rotor unit by earns whichcan be connected for example mechanically securely with a frame of thetablet pressing machine. However, the cams may also be constructed asdiscs which are rotatably mounted on the frame of the tablet pressingmachine.

For the production of tablets, powdery material is supplied via amaterial supply to the matrices which are formed in the matrix disc,which material is then compacted by the upper and lower dies engaginginto the matrices. With a sufficient compacting of the pulverulentmaterial, a tablet is obtained which is then ejected from the matrix bya corresponding ejection movement of an upper or lower die and is guidedout of the tablet pressing machines by suitable mechanical devices.

As the material which is to be tabletted can never be processed at 100%to tablets and, furthermore, contains in part highly effective medicinalcomponents which, on inhalation, can be problematic, ranging up to beinghazardous, for an operator of the tablet pressing machine, a carefulcleaning of the tablet pressing machine must be carried out when thematerial which is to be tabletted is changed, i.e. with a batch change.To do this, it is important in particular to bind powdery material whichis present in the air and also on the rotor of the tablet pressingmachine and in its environment, so that it can no longer be inhaled bythe operating personnel. To do this, tablet pressing machines are knownfrom the prior art which have a closed housing area in which at leastthe matrix disc of the rotor, but generally in addition also the upperand lower die mountings in addition to the associated dies and theactuating cams of the upper and lower dies are arranged. In order tobind the powdery material which is not processed into tablets, aspraying device for a cleaning fluid, such as water for example, isarranged in the closed housing of the tablet pressing machine. On abatch change, before the closed housing area is opened, a cleaning fluidis sprayed which washes out the suspended particles situated in the airand, in addition, as far as possible wets all the surfaces arranged inthe region of the closed housing, to bind powdery material residueswhich are situated thereon. The find & replace powdery material residueswhich are bound in the cleaning fluid can then no longer reach the air,but rather the closed housing area can now be opened and, for example,cleaned manually by the operating personnel.

Generally, an extensive dismantling of the tablet pressing machine isnecessary for the cleaning method, which entails in part considerabledown times, causing relevant costs. Any reduction in the down timeduring a batch change—for example by simplifying the cleaningmethod—therefore immediately brings financial advantages with it.

As already mentioned above, in a generic tablet pressing machine thematerial which is to be tabletted is directed to the matrices in thematrix disc via a material supply. Generally, such a material supplydirects the material on the upper side to the matrices formed in thematrix disc. To do this, a supply opening is formed in the materialsupply, which frequently overlaps several matrices of the matrix discwhich are arranged one behind the other, and which material supply issurrounded by an often surrounding seal. This seal seals off the spacialarea surrounded by the supply opening with respect to the environment.The seal is frequently guided at a minimal distance over the upper sideof the matrix disc. Alternatively, sliding seals are also used. In bothtypes of construction, however, a high-precision adjustment of thematerial supply and of the seal contained therein relative to the rotorunit is indispensable, in order to avoid excess wear on the matrix discitself, on the seal or on the material supply. Also, the materialabrasion which is inevitably entailed with the wear can be a problemwhen it is carried into the tablets which are produced on the tabletpressing machine. For this reason, the material supply in theconstructions previously known from the prior art must be newly alignedaccurately after the machine has been dismantled for example forcleaning purposes. This adjustment process here is frequently verycomplex and hence time-consuming. A dismantling of the material supplyis, however, generally indispensable in the generic tablet pressingmachines previously known from the prior art, because otherwise thematerial residues situated in the region of the material supply, inparticular the supply opening on the inside, and the contact region withthe matrix disc, can not be detected during the cleaning method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a material supply for atablet pressing machine which simplifies a cleaning of the tabletpressing machine at a batch change. Furthermore, a tablet pressingmachine is to be indicated of which, the cleaning is simplified comparedwith the tablet pressing machines previously known from the prior art.Finally, a method is to be indicated which allows a simplified cleaningof a generic tablet pressing machine.

The problems discussed above are solved by a material supply for atablet pressing machine, by a tablet pressing machine and by a methodfor cleaning a tablet pressing machine according to the presentinvention.

A material supply according to the invention is provided for a tabletpressing machine which has a rotor which comprises a matrix disc. Aplurality of matrices is arranged therein. The material supply isprovided to supply material which is to be tabletted to the matriceswhich are formed in the matrix disc. According to the invention, thematerial supply comprises a carrier part and a supply part, in which theposition of the carrier part relative to the matrix disc of the rotor isable to be fixed mechanically. In addition, the supply part is mountedby means of at least one variable mounting part on the carrier part, inwhich the variable mounting part is arranged to set a variable distanceof the supply part to the matrix disc of the rotor, preferably in thevertical direction.

Preferred further developments of the material supply according to theinvention will be described below in connection with the additionallyclaimed tablet pressing machine. These preferred further developmentsare, however, also limited to material supplies for a generic tabletpressing machine—i.e. without the features of a generic tablet pressingmachine—the subject matter of the present application.

A tablet pressing machine according to the invention has a rotor whichcomprises a matrix disc. In the latter, a plurality of matrices isarranged which are formed directly in the matrix disc or else can beconstructed as separate inserts. In addition, the tablet pressingmachine comprises a material supply which is provided to supply thematerial which is to be tabletted to the matrices which are formed inthe matrix disc. According to the invention, provision is now made thatthe material supply comprises a carrier part and a supply part. Here,the position of the carrier part relative to the rotor of the tabletpressing machine is able to be fixed mechanically, preferably after anadjustment of the carrier part relative to the rotor has taken place.The supply part of the material supply, on the other hand, is mounted onthe carrier part by means of at least one variable mounting part, inwhich the variable mounting part is arranged to set a variable distanceof the supply part to the rotor. This adjustability is to be developedhere so that in particular when the invention of the tablet pressingmachine according to the invention is at a standstill, the distance ofthe supply part from the rotor can be altered at least in the verticaldirection preferably by remote control by an operator. In particular,such a change in distance is to be realizable by means of the at leastone variable mounting part, by the supply part being raised from theupper side of the matrix disc. Hereby, the contact region between thesupply part and the rotor, here in particular therefore the matrix disc,becomes accessible for cleaning. Generally, the at least one variablemounting part will permit a remote-controlled vertical movement of thesupply part by fractions of a millimetre up to several millimetres. Whenthe vertical movement in fact amounts to some millimetres, then thecleaning of the rotor and of the supply part can be carried outparticularly simply, because in this case suitable cleaning equipmentsuch as cleaning cloths can be introduced simply into the intermediatespace between the supply part and the matrix disc. The introduction ofthe cleaning fluid by means of the spraying device is also distinctlyeased.

In a particularly preferred development of the invention, the variablemounting part is arranged to tilt the supply part in a defined mannerwith respect to the rotor, in particular such that the supply part israised substantially in its contact region with the matrix disc.

A mounting of the supply part on the carrier part by means of twovariable mounting parts and a fixed mounting part which are arranged sothat they span one plane has provided to be particularly advantageous.In particular, the mounting parts can be proved on the carrier part. Thesupply part is then placed onto three contact points which are formed bythe three mounting parts arranged on the carrier part. Particularlypreferably, a tilting movement of the supply part on each individualmounting part is possible here, so that by different deflection of thevariable mounting parts in the vertical direction, the supply part israised on the one hand and on the other hand can be tilted. If, however,an angular mobility of the supply part on the mounting parts is notprovided, then at least a movement of the supply part in the verticaldirection can be realized in the simplest manner. To do this, threevariable mounting parts are then provided, which are deflected in thesame direction.

It has proved to be particularly advantageous when the at least onevariable mounting part comprises a pneumatically actuated liftingcylinder which, with an application of pressure for example by means ofcompressed air, carries out an upwardly directed lifting movement. Inaddition, however, of course hydraulic or electromechanical actuatorscan also be used.

In a particularly preferred development, the variable mounting partcomprises, in addition to a pneumatically actuated lifting cylinder, apressure spring which generates a force directed in opposition to thepneumatically actuated movement of the lifting cylinder, which forceacts on the lifting cylinder. The pressure spring here is preferably acompression spring, the restoring force of which is substantiallyindependent of its compression at least over a certain deflection range.An example of such a pressure spring is a multimodal corrugated disc.

In a particularly preferred development, the supply part is mounted onthe carrier part of the material supply by means of the at least onevariable mounting part so that always the same bearing force of thesupply part is produced on the upper side of the matrix disc,irrespective of the actual deflection of the variable mounting parts. Inan alternative development, the material supply is constructed so thatwhen the supply part is placed onto the carrier part, the distance ofthe supply part to the rotor, in particular to the matrix disc, isautomatically set to a preset value.

The first-mentioned development is particularly advantageous in so faras the supply part of the material supply has a seal which is inmechanical contact with the upper side of the matrix disc during theoperation of the tablet pressing machine and is therefore a slidingseal. The second-mentioned development has advantages in particular whena mechanical contact is to be avoided between the supply part, inparticular a seal provided on the supply part, and the matrix disc ofthe rotor. To do this, under all operating conditions of the tabletpressing machine, a minimum distance can be maintained between thesupply part, in particular a seal arranged in the supply part, and thematrix disc.

The first-mentioned development has advantages in particular when asliding seal is provided on the supply part, which seal is pre-stressedfor example by means of a suitably constructed spring against thesurface of the matrix disc. To do this, the seal can have a separatelyconstructed inherent for example pressure spring. Alternatively,however, a spring effect of the material used for the seal can beutilized. Thus, for example, a metallic sliding seal can have a suitableelastic deformability.

In a further advantageous further development of the tablet pressingmachine according to the invention, an adjustment device is providedwhich allows the position of the carrier part to be set at least in thevertical direction. Such an adjustment device can be a micrometre screwfor example. In particular, a two-stage micrometre screw can be providedhere, which in a first stage allows a coarse setting of the position inthe range of millimetres. A second stage then allows a fine adjustmentof the position in the range of fractions of millimetres, preferably inthe range of micrometres.

In a further advantageous development of the tablet pressing machineaccording to the invention, a fixing unit is provided by means of whichthe supply part can be fixed mechanically on the carrier part. Inparticular, such a fixing unit can be one or more manually operablesetscrews which engage with their shaft for example into the liftingcylinders of the variable mounting parts. Alternatively, the fixing unitcan also be constructed as a bayonet closure which is to be operatedmanually.

The method according to the invention is provided for cleaning a tabletpressing machine which has a rotor which comprises a matrix disc inwhich a plurality of matrices is arranged. In addition, the tabletpressing machine comprises a material supply which is provided to supplymaterial which is to be tabletted to the matrices which are formed inthe matrix disc. The method has the following method steps:

-   -   1. providing a material supply which comprises a carrier part        and a supply part, in which a) the position of the carrier part        relative to the matrix disc of the rotor is able to be fixed        mechanically, and b) the supply part is mounted on the carrier        part by means of at least one variable mounting part, and    -   2. increasing the distance of the supply part to the matrix disc        of the rotor by means of the variable mounting part preferably        in the vertical direction.

In a preferred further development of the method according to theinvention, at least the matrix disc of the rotor, the supply part of thematerial supply and a spraying device for a cleaning fluid are arrangedin a closed housing. In a further method step 3, a cleaning fluid issprayed in the closed housing by means of the spraying device, with thesupply part being in the (raised/tilted) cleaning state.

The method according to the invention is therefore particularly suitedto being carried out on a tablet pressing machine according to theinvention, or on a generic tablet pressing machine using a materialsupply according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent fromthe subclaims and from the example embodiment which is described infurther detail below with the aid of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a tablet pressing machineaccording to the invention, in lateral sectional illustration;

FIG. 2 shows a top view onto a matrix disc with a material supplyaccording to the invention in place;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a material supply accordingto the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the carrier part of thematerial supply of FIG. 3 in a view on the upper side;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of the supply part of thematerial supply of FIG. 3 in a view on the underside;

FIG. 6 shows a section through the material supply of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged cutout of FIG. 7 in the operating position ofthe material supply; and

FIG. 8 shows the cutout of FIG. 8 in the cleaning position of thematerial supply.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A tablet pressing machine 1 according to the invention can be seen fromFIG. 1 in a simplified sectional illustration. The tablet pressingmachine 1 has a rotor 10 which comprises a spindle 16 which is rotatablymounted in a bearing 18 in the frame 64 of the tablet pressing machine1. The frame 64 can consist for example of a tube frame which gives thetablet pressing machine 1 the necessary mechanical stability. Inaddition, the rotor 10 comprises a matrix disc 2 in which a plurality ofmatrices 14 are arranged, spaced equally apart. Here, the matrices 14can be formed directly as a recess in the matrix disc 12, but they mayalso be constructed as separate parts which are inserted into recesses,constructed in a complementary manner, in the matrix disc 12 (asillustrated). The matrix disc 12 is preferably formed in a single piece,but it is also readily possible to use matrix discs which are formed inseveral parts. The spindle 16 of the rotor 10 is driven by means of amotor 11. The components which are additionally arranged on the rotor 10of a generic tablet pressing machine, such as upper- and lower dieguides and the upper and lower dies mounted therein, in addition to theassociated actuating cams are not illustrated in FIG. 1, for reasons ofsimplicity, because they are not relevant to an understanding of theinvention.

In addition, in FIG. 1 a material supply 20 is indicateddiagrammatically, by means of which the generally pulverulent materialis supplied to the matrices 14, formed in the matrix disc 12, fortabletting. The material supply 20 comprises here in the exampleembodiment which is shown a carrier part 30 which can be adjusted in itsheight relative to the matrix disc 14 of the rotor 12 by means of anadjustment device 32 which is not illustrated in FIG. 1. The carrierpart 30 carries on the upper side a supply part 40 in which a supplyopening 44 is formed for the powdery material.

In the example embodiment which is shown, the matrix disc 12 of therotor 10 and the material supply 20 are arranged in a closed housing 60which is integrated into the frame 64 of the tablet pressing machine 1according to the invention. Closed is to be understood here to mean thatthe housing 60 is sealed by suitable closure arrangements such aswindows or doors against an emergence of the powdery material which isto be tabletted by the tablet pressing machine according to theinvention. A contamination of the environment of the tablet pressingmachine 1 according to the invention by the material which is to betabletted is thereby ruled out. Generally, the interior of the closedhousing 60 is accessible via doors (not illustrated), for example formaintenance and cleaning purposes.

The spraying device 62, which is arranged inside the closed housing 60,also serves for cleaning purposes. The spraying device 62 comprises aplurality of spray nozzles which are provided to spray a cleaning fluid,such as water for example, in the interior of the closed housing 60. Thecleaning nozzles of the spraying device 62 are arranged here in theinterior of the closed housing 60 so that practically the entireinterior of the closed housing 60 is picked up by the spray mist of thecleaning fluid.

FIG. 2 now shows diagrammatically a top view onto the matrix disc 12 ofthe rotor 10 of the tablet pressing machine 1 according to theinvention. The plurality of matrices 14, arranged at equal distances,can clearly be seen, which in the example embodiment are realized asseparately constructed matrices 14. It can further be seen that thecarrier part 30 of the material supply 20 is arranged adjacent to thematrix disc 12. The supply part 40 is mounted on the carrier part 30 andpartially overlaps the matrix disc 12. The supply opening 44 which isformed in the supply part 40 and which overlaps a plurality of matrices14 of the matrix disc 12 can also be seen.

FIG. 3 now shows a perspective illustration of the material supply 20according to the invention, which comprises a vertically adjustablecarrier part 30 and a supply part 40 which is mounted on the upper sideon the carrier part 30. The carrier part 30 is mechanically connectedwith the frame 64 of the tablet pressing machine 1 by means of acolumn-like element, with an adjustment device 32 being integrated intothis column-like element, said adjustment device 32 permitting avertical adjustment of the carrier part 30 in the manner of a micrometrescrew. In particular the vertical position of the carrier part 30relative to the upper side of the matrix disc 12 is adjustable by meansof the adjustment device 32.

On the upper side on the carrier part 30, the supply part 40 of thematerial supply 20 is arranged, with the supply part 40 being secured bymeans of a manually operable fixing unit in the form of a capstan-headscrew.

The pulverulent material which is to be tabletted is supplied to thesupply opening 44, which is formed in the supply part 40 and is notvisible in FIG. 3, by means of a portioning device 70 which is againarranged on the upper side of the supply part 40 and is motor-driven.The portioning device 70 comprises, in turn, a supply feed pipe 72arranged on the upper side, to which the pulverulent material issupplied coming from above. In addition, a motor-driven transport disc74 which conveys the pulverulent material from the supply feed pipe 72to the supply opening 44 of the supply part 40 rotates inside theportioning device 70.

FIG. 4 now shows a perspective illustration of the carrier part 30 ofthe material supply 20 according to FIG. 3 in a view on the upper side.The adjustment device 32, arranged on the underside, for setting thevertical position can be clearly seen. In addition two mounting parts 50can be seen, which are arranged adjoining the contact region with thematrix disc 12 in the upper side of the carrier part 30. The mountingparts 50 are constructed as lifting cylinders 52 which are actuated bycompressed air and which are supplied with compressed air via compressedair supplies 58. In addition, on the upper side of the carrier part 20 amounting point 34 is arranged for a pin 48 which is constructed in acomplementary manner on the supply part 40.

FIG. 5 shows the supply part 40 of the material supply 20 according toFIG. 3 in a perspective illustration from below. The supply opening 44can be clearly seen, to which on the upper side the pulverulent materialwhich is to be tabletted is supplied by the portioning device 70 whichcan not be seen in FIG. 5. The supply opening 44 is embraced by anencircling seal 46, this being able to be, for example, a seal of apolymeric material.

In addition, the supply part 40 has three pins 48, 49 arranged on theunderside. Here, two first pins 48 are constructed in a complementarymanner to recesses 53, which extend in the ends lying at the top of thelifting cylinders 52 of the variable mounting parts 50. The additionallyprovided second pin 49 is constructed in a complementary manner to themounting point 34 which is constructed in the carrier part 30. When thesupply part 40 with the pins 48, 49 is placed onto the mounting parts50, formed in the carrier part 30, and also onto the mounting point 34,then the material supply 20 according to the invention is formed. Themounting point 34 is fixed with respect to its three-dimensionalposition; on the other hand, the lifting cylinders 52 can carry out alifting movement in the vertical direction. The first pins 48 and alsothe complementary recesses 53 in the lifting cylinders 52 areconstructed so that a tilting movement of the supply part 40 onto thelifting cylinder 52 is possible. Accordingly also the combination of thesecond pin 49 and the mounting point 34 is developed so that a tiltingmovement of the supply part 40 on the carrier part 30 is possible.Finally, in addition a fixing unit 42 in the form of a capstan-headscrew is constructed on one of the pins 48. An actuation of thecapstan-head screw 42 secures the pin 48 in the complementary recess 53in the lifting cylinder 52, with the mechanical connection beingdeveloped so that in addition a tilting movement of the supply part 40on the carrier part 30 remains possible. By the actuation of thecapstan-head screw 42, the supply part 40 is, however, securedmechanically on the carrier part 30.

In an alternative development which can not be seen from the figures,instead of a fixed mounting point 34 for the second pin 49, likewise avariable mounting part 50 is provided on the carrier part 30. As awhole, therefore, three mounting parts 50 are provided on the carrierpart 30. By a simultaneous actuation of all three variable mountingparts 50, a pure vertical movement of the supply part 40 can be carriedout. When the mounting parts 50 are developed accordingly such that atilting movement of the pins 48, 49 is possible in the associatedrecesses 53 of the lifting cylinders 52, then by a different actuationof the lifting cylinders 52 likewise a tilting movement of the supplypart 40 can be realized on the carrier part 30. Here, preferably a moreintensive vertical movement of the supply part 40 is realized in theregion adjoining the matrix disc 12, so that the supply part 40 risesparticularly intensively here from the matrix disc 12.

FIG. 6 shows, in partial section, once again the material supply 20according to FIG. 3, in which the carrier part 30 and supply part 40 arejoined together to form a functional unit which is ready for use. Thecapstan-head screws 42 can be clearly seen, the ends of which, which areconstructed as pins 48, engage into the recesses 53 in the liftingcylinders 52 of the carrier part 30. The dashed line which is marked byA-A marks the separation line between the supply part 40 and the carrierpart 30 of the material supply 20. The carrier part 30 and the supplypart 40 are separable from each other along this line.

FIG. 7 shows a cutout enlargement of FIG. 6, from which the structure ofthe mounting part 50 (illustrated cut) can be seen in detail. Themounting part 50 comprises a lifting cylinder 52 which is movable in thevertical direction. The prestressing of a pressure spring 54 is directedagainst its vertical movement. Here, the pressure spring 54 isconstructed as a multimodal corrugated disc, i.e. as a corrugated discwhich is shaped in a corrugated form, in which different undulationlengths are realized. Such a multimodal corrugated disc has theadvantage that with use as a pressure spring it produces a substantiallyconstant restoring force over a certain compression zone.

The lifting cylinder 52 is sealed by an encircling seal 55 against thecompressed air duct 56 lying underneath. If the latter is acted upon bycompressed air, then a vertical movement of the lifting cylinder 52occurs against the restoring force of the pressure spring 54. Thecompressed aid duct 56 of the illustrated mounting part 50 is acted uponby compressed air via a compressed air supply 58 which is notillustrated in FIG. 7, cf. with respect to this FIG. 4: on the upperside of the carrier part 30 the lifting cylinder 52 is sealed by afurther seal 57 against, for example, the penetration of pulverulentmaterial residues.

On the upper side, the lifting cylinder 52 forms a recess 53 into whichthe end, lying at the bottom and constructed as pin 48, of thecapstan-head screw 42 engages, serving as a fixing unit. The supply part42 is secured mechanically on the carrier part 30 by means of thiscapstan-head screw 42. FIG. 7 shows the material supply 20 according toFIG. 3 in the state of tablet pressing machine 1 according to theinvention in the state when ready for operation. In this state, the seal46 which is constructed as a sliding seal and which embraces the supplyopening 44 in the supply part 40, lies on the matrix disc 12 which isnot illustrated in FIG. 7, and thus seals the supply opening 44 againstthe area lying on the exterior.

FIG. 8, on the other hand, shows the material supply of FIG. 3 in itscleaning position, in which the compressed air ducts 56 of the twovariable mounting parts 50 are acted upon with compressed air.Accordingly, the lifting cylinders 52 are deflected in the verticaldirection. Hereby, a separation of the supply part 40 from the carrierpart 30 occurs, which is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8 and ismarked by, “d”.

Finally, it is pointed out that also in the state ready for operation,of the tablet pressing machine 1 according to the invention, an actionof compressed air on the lifting cylinders 52 of the two mounting parts50 can be technically meaningful, so that a certain separation d1between carrier part 30 and supply part 40 results. This separation d1can be pre-set here by a suitable selection of the pressure of thesupplied compressed air acting on the lifting cylinder 52 and bysuitable selection of the elasticity constant of the pressure spring 54.The separation d1 is preferably selected here so that a sufficientsealing is produced of the sliding seal 46 against the surface of thematrix disc 12, without an excessive material abrasion of the slidingseal 46 occurring.

In order to transfer the supply part 40 in this special development ofthe material supply 20 into the cleaning state, the pressure acting onthe lifting cylinders 52 of the mounting parts 50 is then increased tosuch an extent that the lifting cylinders 52 overcome the opposing forceof the pressure springs 54 and undergo their maximum verticaldeflection. In this state, the maximum separation d2 of carrier part 30and supply part 40 occurs in which, as was already mentioned above, thisseparation d2 can assume values between typically 0.5 mm and 5 mm.

Finally, it is pointed out that the seal 46, as already mentioned, canbe a polymeric seal. In particular with a usage as a sliding seal, thiscan be pre-stressed against the surface of the matrix disc 12 by meansof a separately constructed pressure spring which is not illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8.

Alternatively, the sliding seal 46 can also be constructed as a metallicseal which can likewise be advantageously pre-stressed against thesurface of the matrix disc 12 by means of a separately constructedpressure spring. Alternatively, it is also possible to select the shapeof the metallic seal 46 so that an inherent elastic effect of the seal46 is produced, so that a separate pressure spring for pre-stressing theseal 46 against the surface of the matrix disc 12 can be dispensed with.If, on the other hand, the seal 46 is not to be constructed as a slidingseal, then a mechanical pre-stressing means, such as a separatelyconstructed pressure spring can be entirely dispensed with.

1. A material supply for a tablet pressing machine including a rotor,the rotor having a matrix disc including an arranged plurality ofmatrices, wherein the material supply supplies material to be tablettedto the matrices formed in the matrix disc, wherein the material supplycomprises a carrier part and a supply part, and wherein: a. the positionof the carrier part relative to the matrix disc of the rotor is able tobe fixed mechanically; and b. the supply part is mounted on the carrierpart by means of at least one variable mounting part, wherein thevariable mounting part is arranged to set a variable distance of thesupply part to the matrix disc of the rotor.
 2. A tablet pressingmachine with a rotor comprising a matrix disc having a plurality ofarranged matrices and the material supply of claim
 1. 3. The tabletpressing machine of claim 2, wherein the variable mounting part isarranged to tilt the supply part with respect to the carrier part. 4.The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, wherein the mounting part isarranged to set the distance of the supply part to the rotorautomatically to a preset value.
 5. The tablet pressing machine of claim2, further comprising a sealed housing in which at least the matrixdisc, the supply part of the material supply and a spraying device for acleaning fluid are arranged.
 6. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2,wherein at least three variable mounting parts are provided which spanone plane.
 7. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, wherein thevariable mounting part comprises a pneumatically actuated liftingcylinder.
 8. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, wherein thevariable mounting part comprises a pressure spring.
 9. The tabletpressing machine of claim 2, wherein the pressure spring is a corrugateddisc.
 10. The tablet pressing machine of claim 7, wherein the variablemounting part comprises a pressure spring and the pressure springcounteracts the pneumatically actuated movement of the lifting cylinder.11. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, further comprising anadjustment device to allow the position of the carrier part to be set inat least the vertical direction.
 12. The tablet pressing machine ofclaim 10, wherein the adjustment device is constructed as a micrometrescrew.
 13. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, further comprising afixing unit for mechanically fixing the supply part on the carrier part.14. The tablet pressing machine of claim 2, wherein the supply partincludes a supply opening for the material to be tabletted, and furthercomprising a seal at least partially embracing the supply opening, theseal being arranged between the supply part and the matrix disc.
 15. Thetablet pressing machine of claim 13, wherein the seal is constructed soas to be able to be acted upon with a defined pre-stressing forceagainst the surface of the matrix disc.
 16. The tablet pressing machineof claim 14, wherein the seal comprises a metallic or a polymericmaterial.
 17. The tablet pressing machine of claim 15, wherein thepre-stressing force is produced by means of elastic deformation of theseal.
 18. The tablet pressing machine of claim 15, wherein thepre-stressing force is produced by means of a separately constructedspring element.
 19. A method for cleaning a tablet pressing machineincluding a rotor, the rotor having a matrix disc in which a pluralityof matrices is arranged, wherein at least the matrix disc of the rotor,the supply part of the material supply and a spraying device for acleaning fluid is arranged in a closed housing, the method comprisingthe steps of: a. providing a material supply to supply material which isto be tabletted to the matrices which are formed in the matrix disc, thematerial supply comprising a carrier part and a supply part, in which:i. the position of the carrier part relative to the matrix disc of therotor is able to be fixed mechanically, and ii. the supply part ismounted on the carrier part by means of at least one variable mountingpart; b. increasing the distance of the supply part to the matrix discof the rotor by means of the variable mounting part; and c. spraying acleaning fluid in the closed housing by means of the spraying device.